Prefabricated Shelters Offer a Jungle Eco-Retreat

Sitting among the canopy of a jungle forest near Yelapa, Mexico, these V-Houses by Heinz Legler are quite possibly an eco-adventurer’s paradise. The treehouse-like structures are lofted 16 feet above the ground and open on all sides to offer panoramic views of the tropical surroundings. Although the rooms measure only 16 feet by 16 feet, a slanted ceiling and open walls make the treehouse seem larger — blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors. And to top off this eco-dream of a jungle retreat, the V-Houses were designed with modular components, made with sustainable materials, and have incorporated solar panels, composting toilets, and a greywater system.

The shelters are based on hooches in Puerto Rico and Oregon designed by Jo Scheer, but have a modern-ized aesthetic (the original was made of bamboo) with the use of steel, plywood, and red corrugated iron roofs. Based on a modular design, the houses were prefabricated in Puerto Vallarta and then brought by boat to the site. Once on the site, constructing the houses required no moving of soil or excavating as the houses were designed to be lofted on V-shaped stands planted into the ground.

These shelters are currently being used as temporary housing for employees that work at the Verana resort, but the owners say that the treehouse-like shelters have been such a hit that they plan on building more, but this time for guests — so get ready to pack your bags!